PS5 Pro Leaks, 700Hz CRT Experiments, and Xbox Maintenance Issues

Hardware Leaks and Technical Analysis

PS5 Pro RDNA 4 Enhancements

In this episode, the team discusses leaked RDNA 4 documentation suggesting specific enhancements for the upcoming PlayStation 5 Pro. Key technical takeaways include:
• A focus on doubling ray tracing intersection engine performance.
• Potential BVH (Bounding Volume Hierarchy) footprint improvements.
• The noteable absence of a dedicated hardware traversal unit, which was previously expected for hardcore ray tracing workloads.

The Future of Path Tracing

The panel explores whether these rumoured features could realistically handle path tracing. The conclusion is that while modest, humble path tracing might be achievable, high-end AAA path tracing remains a significantly more ambitious challenge.

Retro Hardware and Contemporary Issues

700Hz CRT Experiments

The discussion shifts to the incredible feat of driving a CRT monitor at 700Hz. While achievable at extremely low resolutions (e.g., 320x120), the panel notes that:

"60 hertz on a CRT looks significantly better than any flat panel."
This highlights the inherent advantages of CRT motion clarity compared to modern sample-and-hold display technologies.

The Xbox One Update Loop

A critical issue has emerged where factory-resetting or long-idle original Xbox One units fail to update, effectively bricking the consoles. Microsoft is reportedly aware of this "online activation" failure, marking a worrying precedent for the long-term viability of disc-based gaming.

Gaming News and Technical Updates

Software Fixes and Industry Trends

• Monkey Ball Physics: The team celebrates a Sega patch that fixes the stuttering physics tick rate issues in Banana Rumble, demonstrating that feedback can drive meaningful technical improvements.
• Fallout London: The release of the Fallout London mod for Fallout 4 is discussed, praising its professional quality, voice acting, and massive density.
• PC Port State: The panel reviews whether PC ports have improved since previous critiques. There is consensus that while there is still massive room for improvement, issues like shader compilation stutter and lack of upscaling options are being addressed more frequently.